Paint mixing device



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 4, 1965 INVENTOR.

Cecil C. Unger May 23, W7 c. c. UNGER 3,321,138

PAINT MIXING DEVICE Filed on. 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Jerri! 6. Zinger United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hemi-spherical cover embodies convex seat manually adjustable atop paint can. Flexible bottom with bushing provides bearing for mot-or driven shaft. Shaft can be angled to change position of universally mounted selflevelling stirrer.

This invention relates to a novel and improved paint mixing device and more particularly to a power driven paint mixing attachment accessory for use in conjunction with paint cans of various sizes.

Briefly, this invention consists of a cup-shaped stopper member having a shaft mounted therein, the shaft being adapted to be driven by an air or electric motor connected at one end thereof, the other end of the shaft having an agitator member coupled thereto by a universal connection for mixing of the paint in paint cans.

'It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable mixing device which is adaptable for use with various size paint cans or containers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a motor driven agitator device for mixing fluid in cans, which device can be used without adjustment to fit containers or cans of various sizes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable power driven paint mixing device which can be mounted on various size paint cans.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel flexible connection between a power tool and a paint mixing agitator head for a paint mixing device.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a paint mixing device having novel and improved means for mounting the device on paint cans whereby no paint will spill from the can during the mixing operation. 6

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the ac companying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective View of the paint mixing device comprising the present invention in place on a paint can with the power tool illustrated in operating connection therewith;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on a plane of the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial plan view taken substantially on the plane of the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 44 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical view partially in section taken substantially on the plane of the line 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the agitator head illustrated in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 77 of FIG- URE 2.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally denotes the paint mixing de- 3,321,188 Patented May 23, 1967 vice of the present invention. The paint mixing device 10 includes a supporting member 12 of generally halfspherical or cup-shaped including a substantially flattened bottom portion generally denoted by the reference numeral 14. The cup-shaped supporting member 12 has a generally centrally located recess 16 in the upper surface 18 thereof, said member 12 having a peripheral side wall 20 and a central bottom wall 22. As may be appreciated by viewing 'FIGURE 2, the bottom wall 22 is substantially thinner than the side wall. 20, the side and bottom walls defining the sides of recess 16 as well .as the peripheral surface of the member 12. The supporting member 12 is preferably fabricated of a resilient material such as hard rubber or plastic, and the thin bottom wall 22 is, by virtue of its relatively thin cross-section and central mounting with respect to the side wall 20, substantially flexible.

The supporting member 12 includes an opening 24 substantially in the center of the bottom wall 22, the opening thus being substantially in the center of the member 12 itself. Mounted in the opening 24 is a journal bushing member 26 of brass or a similar material, the bushing 26 including a bottom peripheral flange portion 28, a body portion 30 and an upper externally threaded end 32 extending upwardly into the recess portion 16 of member 12. Mounted on the threaded end 32 is a washer 34 and nut 36, the nut being threaded on the end 32 in order to retain the bushing 26 in the bottom wall 22. Thus, it will be apparent that the flange portion 28 of bushing 26 will be retained against the bottom 14 of bottom wall 22 by the nut 36 and thereby the bushing will be retained in opening 24. Further, the bushing 26 includes a central opening 38 therein.

Journaled in the opening 38 of bushing 26 for rotation in the bushing, is an actuator rod 40. The actuator rod is an elongate slender cylindrical rod of a metallic material such as steel or the like, the rod 40 including a conventional female connector 42 on the upper end thereof to receive the male connector of a conventional air or electric drill generally denoted by reference numeral 44. Thus, it may be observed from viewing FIGURE 1 in particular, that the actuator rod 40 may be rotated in bushing 26 by the drill 44 being connected to the coupling 42, the drill 44 then being actuated for rotation of rod 40.

Connected to the bottom end of actuator rod 40 through the universal coupling denoted by reference numeral 46 is a stirrer, for example, but not necessarily, a generally flat agitator member denoted by reference numeral 48. The universal connection 46 comprises amale portion 50 removably connected by means of ball detent 51 therein which mates with recess 53 in rod 40, to the bottom of rod 40 and a female portion 52 rigidly connected to the agitator 48. The ball detent is carried by detent support 55. The male portion 50 and rod 40 are able to be snapped into and out of engagement in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Thus, it will be apparent from viewing FIGURES 2 and 5 in particular, that the agitator 48 is removably mounted on the bottom of actuator rod 40, and by virtue of the universal joint or connection 46 may be swung laterally with respect to the rod or shaft 40 while at the same time the agitator 48 will be rotatably driven by the actuator rod 40.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 5 and 6, for a more detailed description of the optionally usable agitator member 48, it will be observed that the agitator member 48 is a generally circular member having the body plate 54 on which is centrally mounted a neck portion 56 on which female connector 52 is mounted. The plat-e 54 includes a plurality of arcuate upstanding mixing blades 58 thereon, the blades 58 emanating from the central portion of the plate 54 adjacent neck 56 and radiating arcuately outwardly to the peripheral edge thereof. Also, depending from the bottom of the plate 54 is a spiral mixing blade 60, which blade spirals outwardly from the center portion of the plate 55 and terminates at the peripheral edge thereof. Thus, it will be apparent that the agitator 48, by virtue of the mixing blades 58 and 60 will, when rotated in a fluid, agitate or mix the fluid.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be observed that the supporting member 12 is readily adapted to be positioned over the open top 62 of a container such as paint can 64. The paint can 64 will preferably be positioned in a retained upright position on table 66, the can 64 being positioned in the opening 67 of the substantially U-shapcd can retaining table portion 68. Thus, it will be observed that the supporting member 12 will substantially close the open top 62 of the paint can 64, and the actuator rod 40 and agitator 48 will extend downwardly into the paint contained in the can. Further, it will be appreciated that due to the substantially flat bottom 14 of the supporting member 12, as well as the convex shape of the bottom portion of the supporting member, the supporting member will readily and adaptably seat itself on paint cans of various sizes, such as pint cans, half gallon cans or gallon cans. Further, due to the shape of the supporting member 12, each of these cans will be fluid sealed when the supporting member is placed thereon. Thus, it will be possible for the supporting member 12 with the actuating rod 40 and agitator 48 placed therein to be positioned on the open top of a paint can having paint therein, and the agitator 48 rapidly rotated in the paint thus mixing it when the actuator rod 40 is rotated as by the drill 44. Further, as will be observed in FIGURE 2, the agitator 48 may be either positioned flat against the bottom of the can 64 or, by virtue of the slidable mounting of actuator rod 40 in the journal bushing 26, the agitator 48 may be raised in the can 64 thus mixing the paint therein as the rod 40 is continued to be rotated while the agitator member 48 is vertically moved in the can. Also, the actuator rod may be laterally moved by the user of the mixing device 10, thereby either causing the supporting member 12 to be displaced as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 2, or inasmuch as the bottom wall 22 of recess 16 is flexible, causing the bottom wall 22 to flex while the supporting member 12 remains in its initial position. Thus, it will be observed in FIGURE 2 that the agitator 48 may be moved laterally in the can 64, while at the same time remaining substantially horizontal by virtue of the universal connection or joint 46 as the actuator rod 40 is moved laterally in the can. Thus, the agitator will be movable against the edge of the can bottom. Further, as will be appreciated, the rod 40 may be moved vertically in the journal bushing 26 as well as being moved laterally in the can in order to mix the paint in the can 64 with the agitator member 48 being positioned against the side wall of the can.

The supporting member 12 includes a cover member 70 of substantially rigid material such as plastic or a metallic material, the cover 70 overlying the top surface 18 of the suporting member 12 and including a downturned flange portion 72 for retaining the cover 70 on the supporting member 12. The cover 70 further includes a portion 74 which extends downwardly into the recess 16 in covering engagement with the inner portion of side wall 20.' The portion 74 extends downwardly only to a point adjacent the bottom wall 22, leaving a generally circular uncovered portion, in order to ensure that the bottom wall 22 will remain flexible, and thus allowing the journal bushing 26 and the actuator rod 40 to be moved laterally while the member 12 is stationary as the bottom wall 22 flexes. The cover 70 ensures that the supporting member 12 will be substantially rigid, thereby enabling it to withstand rough handling and wear, while at the same time allowing the bottom wall 22 to retain its flexibility.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those 4, skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A mixing device for use with fluid-filled containers of varying sizes comprising a substantially cup-shaped semi-spherical supporting and cover member adapted to be positioned on and temporarily close the open top of a fluid-filled container, agitator means attached to and carried by said supporting member and adapted to be supported in the container for mixing of the fluid therein, and means carried by said supporting member for rotating said agitator means whereby the fluid contents of said container will be mixed, said supporting member including a generally centrally located recess portion defining a side wall and a bottom wall, said bottom wall beingsubstantially thinner than said side wall, said agitator rotating means comprising an actuator rod, said bottom wall having an opening therein, journal means mounted in said opening, said rod being mounted for rotation in said journal means, said supporting member being composed of a substantially rigid material, said bottom wall being relatively flexible and said side wall being relatively inflexible whereby lateral movement of said rod in said journal means will cause flexure of said bottom wall and lateral movement of said agitator means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said agitator means is carried on the bottom of said rod, said agitator means being movable laterally and vertically in the container in response to movement of said rod.

3. The combination of claim 1 including universal joint means operatively connecting said agitator means and said rotating means, said agitator means including a mixing blade whereby the fluid in said container will be mixed by rotation of said agitator means. i

4. A mixing device for use with fluid-filled containers comprising a substantially cup-shaped semi-spherical supporting member adapted to be positioned on the open top of a fluid-filled container, agitator means carried by said supporting member and adapted to be supported in the container for mixing of the fluid therein, and means carried by said supporting member for rotating said agitator means whereby the fluid contents of said container will be mixed, said supporting member comprising a substantially resilient member having a generally centrally located opening in the upper wall thereof, said supporting member including a side wall and a bottom wall, said bottom wall being substantially flexible and said side wall being substantially inflexible, said rotating means being rotatably mounted in said bottom wall, and said rotating means being laterally movable as well as rotatable in said opening by flexure of said bottom wall.

5. A mixing device for use with fluid-filled containers of varying sizes, paint-containing cans for example, comprising an agitator supporting, adapter and cover member, said member being substantially semi-spherical in contour and the semi-spherical exterior bottom surface thereof being adapted to be removably and adjustably seated atop and to temporarily close the open top of a given fluid-filled container, the upper central portion of said member being recessed and the recess serving to define a substantially rigid body and side wall portion and a centralized bottom portion, said bottom portion being relatively thin and resilient and provided with an axially mounted bushing definng a journal, a vertically elongated rod providing a shaft, said shaft having a median portion mounted for rotation in said bushing, an upper portion of said shaft being adapted to accommodatingly support an attachable and detachable motion-transmitting drill, a significant lower portion of said shaft depending below said bottom wall, agitator means capable of being rotatably churned in the contents of said container, and a universal joint providing an operating con- 5 nection between the lower end of said shaft and said agitator means.

6. The mixing device according to claim 5 and wherein said recess is substantially semi-spherical and opens upwardly through the top of said supporting member, the top of said supporting member and the surface portions of the walls defining said recess being lined with rigidifying material, said rigidifying material having a lower edge portion encircling said bottom Wall and said bushing in a manner that it does not interfere with the flexure of said bottom Wall and the adaptable angling and positioning of said bushing.

7. The combination of claim 4 including universal joint means operatively connecting said agitator means mixing blade means on the upper surface thereof and on the lower surface thereof whereby the fluid in said container will be mixed by rotation of said agitator means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 82,947 10/1868 Heliker et a1 259140 498,118 5/1893 Hopkins 259-140 740,691 10/1903 Poole 259-125 1,241,307 9/1917 Tompkins 259-144 1,412,401 4/1922 Gotfredsen 259--125 1,608,391 11/1926 Hand et al. 259-407 2,971,748 2/1961 Ellegast 259-134 X and said rotating means, said agitator means including 15 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MIXING DEVICE FOR USE WITH FLUID-FILLED CONTAINERS OF VARYING SIZES COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY CUP-SHAPED SEMI-SPHERICAL SUPPORTING AND COVER MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED ON AND TEMPORARILY CLOSE THE OPEN TOP OF A FLUID-FILLED CONTAINER, AGITATOR MEANS ATTACHED TO AND CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTED IN THE CONTAINER FOR MIXING OF THE FLUID THEREIN, AND MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER FOR ROTATING SAID AGITATOR MEANS WHEREBY THE FLUID CONTENTS OF SAID CONTAINER WILL BE MIXED, SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER INCLUDING A GENERALLY CENTRALLY LOCATED RECESS PORTION DEFINING A SIDE WALL AND A BOTTOM WALL, SAID BOTTOM WALL BEING SUBSTANTIALLY THINNER THAN SAID SIDE WALL, SAID AGITATOR ROTATING MEANS COMPRISING AN ACTUATOR ROD, SAID BOTTOM WALL HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, JOURNAL MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID OPENING, SAID ROD BEING MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN SAID JOURNAL MEANS, SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER BEING COMPOSED OF A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID MATERIAL, SAID BOTTOM WALL BEING RELATIVELY FLEXIBLE AND SAID SIDE WALL BEING RELATIVELY INFLEXIBLE WHEREBY LATERAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ROD IN SAID JOURNAL MEANS WILL CAUSE FLEXURE OF SAID BOTTOM WALL AND LATERAL MOVEMENT OF SAID AGITATOR MEANS. 